Walsh discusses I-81, new housing projects in State of the City address

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The City of Syracuse in February will release its community-grid vision plan as work on the Interstate 81 viaduct-replacement project is in its early stages.

In addition, two proposed housing projects in the city will provide more than 500 new units of housing.

The announcements were part of Walsh’s 2024 State of the City address on Thursday night at City Center in downtown Syracuse.

“I am proud to report the state of our city is growing,” Walsh said in the opening portion of his remarks. “Syracuse is growing in ways that are generating energy, confidence, and hope for the future; growing in ways that are creating opportunity for those who have historically been left behind.”

Community grid vision plan

As Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh describes it, “It is a full-throated endorsement of the community grid and shows how Syracuse can maximize this once-in-a-generation opportunity.”

Calling it a “multi-decade” vision plan, Walsh said it looks at how the city can enhance the street network today and how city neighborhoods can evolve in the future.

“The North Star of the vision plan is people, not cars. That means it puts the highest priority on pedestrians, bicycles, affordable housing, safe intersections, and sidewalks,” he said.

The mayor went on to say that once the viaduct is gone, the plan envisions a “vibrant and walkable” Almond Street lined with mixed-use buildings, “including multi-story towers that Syracuse hasn’t seen built in many decades.”

Housing projects

In his remarks, Walsh said a developer’s proposal would lead to the first “major” mixed-use development project designed for a post-viaduct Almond Street.

“A developer with a strong track record of success in the city intends to build a 14-story high, high-rise apartment building on the northeast corner of East Fayette and Almond with quality housing for people with a wide range of incomes,” the mayor noted.

The plan includes 300 units of housing with first floor commercial space. The project is just beginning the local review process, the mayor noted.

Walsh also announced that a developer is proposing the redevelopment of the “long-dormant” Lafayette Hills Country Club for a lifestyle community that will bring 270 units of quality new homes to the city-owned property.